Plaque disclosing dentifrice compositions with semi-solid microcapsules of dye

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to novel plaque disclosing compositions for use in the self-evaluation and motivation of oral hygiene practices. Still, more particularly, the invention relates to incorporated water insoluble, water immiscible, pressure rupturable, dispersed, emulsed particles and capsules containing a plaque disclosing dye element in toothpaste compositions.

CROSS REFERENCE

This is a continuation-in-part of my copending U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 065,078 filed Aug. 9, 1979 now abandoned. That application ishereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof, and benefit ofits filing date is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The destruction of teeth by dental caries and the loss of their supportthrough inflammatory periodontal disease is related to the activity ofmicrobial plaque. Although differing in particulars, the relationshipsare essentially identical: pathogenic microorganisms become attached toa tooth, take in nutrients and liberate chemicals that are injurious tothe target site, whether tooth, periodontium, or both. The attachment oforganisms can be effected by growth in the sheltered areas such as thepits, fissures and faults of teeth, by self-produced adherence andcolonization, such as in plaque formation, or by a combination ofprocesses. Given sufficient nutrients and time to form toxic substances,the microorganisms will produce carious and periodontal lesions atsusceptible sites.

II. Description of the Prior Art

The problem of preventing caries and inflammatory periodontal diseasehas been approached experimentally by attempting to interfere withplaque formation and activity and by altering tooth surfaces. Attemptsto change the surface characteristics of teeth to prevent thecolonization of microorganisms have not been successful. Alterations inthe chemical rather than physical characteristics of the target sitehave been achieved to some extent by the exposure of the tooth surfacesto fluoride ions made available in water supply, dietary preparations,dentifrices, mouthwashes, topically applied solutions and gels, andrespective materials. Unfortunately, no such simple and effective agentis available to alter the soft tissues. The most successful control ofplaque related to periodontal disease has been professional mechanicalremoval.

In rather general terms, dental plaque has been described as atenacious, soft deposit consisting chiefly of bacteria and bacterialproducts. Dental plaque forms on tooth surfaces, restorations,appliances, and dentures. More precisely, plaque includes specific typesof bacterial colonies surrounded by gel-like intercellular substancesderived chiefly from the bacteria themselves, but also containingcomponents from saliva and crevicular fluid, leucocites and epithelialcells. The microflora of the plaque is water insoluble and must bemechanically removed. Oral water irrigators, whether of the pulsating orsteady stream type, are considered as adjuncts to the toothbrush inhelping to maintain oral health but plaque being water insoluble, is notsignificantly removed from the tooth sites.

The brushing of the teeth and gingiva has been the home care proceduremost widely recommended to promote oral cleanliness. Its basic purposeis to remove oral accumulations of plaque and debris and thereby assistin the prevention of dental disease, particularly when used with anappropriately fluoride containing, abrasive dentifrice. However, thethorough removal of dental plaque by home care procedures can be taughtmore easily if the plaque can actually be seen. A number of agents andtechniques have been developed, some of which may be used convenientlyand economically at home, whereas others may be used more effectively bythe dentist at the time of instruction. The disclosing agent,erythrosine (FD&C Red. No. 3), is probably the agent most frequentlyemployed for use in the home. It has an aesthetic advantage of being acolor similar to that of oral soft tissues, but it does have thedisadvantage of staining any epithelial tissues, such as lips, tongue,fingers and other materials it may come in contact with, particularlycloth and sink areas. This indiscriminate staining is due to the watersolubility of erythrosine and the like vegetable and organic dyeproducts. A mixture of two dyes, again water soluble, FD & C Green No. 3and FD & C Red No. 3, has been used and plaque appears to bedifferentially stained depending on age or thickness--the thicker plaquestaining blue and the thinner, red. An agent such as this would behelpful in demonstrating to the patient those sites most frequentlymissed in cleansing procedures. Still another procedure using acolorless agent has been suggested for plaque visualization. Solutionsof sodium fluorescein are essentially colorless by visible light butfluoresce strongly in light having a wave length of approximately 4800A° . Again, this procedure would necessitate special lighting equipmentand is time consuming as well as economically costly.

The composition of the plaque moreover, appears to be lipoidal in natureand the interfacial tension between an aqueous dye solution orcomposition and the lipid is quite high. Conventional stainingformulations wherein the dye is dissolved directly in water, therefore,have employed a relatively large amount of dye to circumvent thisinterfacial tension. As a result, excess staining of the entire oralcavity as well as non-oral objects normally results when theseformulations with large dye percentages are used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention obviates these and other problems of the prior artby providing disclosing compositions in water insoluble mediumcontaining a dye which is quickly and selectively adsorbable by plaqueformation in the oral cavity. This relatively quick selective adsorptionby the dental plaque formations of the water insoluble, water immisciblephase containing the dye element of the invention circumvents the lengthof time necessary for contact of the present compositions with toothsurfaces, preventing aestehtically unacceptable staining of the mucousmembranes of the oral cavity and non-oral objects.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to providean improved plaque disclosing compositions for use in the oral cavity inthe self evaluation and motivation of oral hygiene practices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide improved plaquedisclosing compositions which selectively identify areas of plaqueformation on tooth surfaces without appreciably staining other portionsof the oral cavity and non-oral objects.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide plaquedisclosing compositions of the type stated comprising a water insoluble,water immiscible, hydrophobic phase dispersed and otherwise emulsed in awater soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic phase.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide plaquedisclosing compositions of the type stated wherein the water insoluble,water immiscible, hydrophobic phase comprises the plaque disclosing dyeelement emulsed in fine droplets or encapsulated in pressure rupturablecapsules, and wherein the water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilicphase comprises the sweeteners, flavoring agents, abrasives, humectants,thickening and emulsifying agents, fluorides, preservatives, and water,the two phases being in an intimate combination which, when applied tothe teeth in the oral cavity, will not appreciably stain areas free ofplaque formations, the excess being readily removed by rinsing withwater and other rinsing solutions.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide plaquedisclosing compositions of the type stated which when applied topicallyto the tooth surfaces and then mechanically or manually agitated with anobject, such as a toothbrush, in a fluid medium, such as the saliva,would rupture the capsule or remove the protective core surrounding eachparticle of the dye element from the water insoluble, water immiscible,hydrophobic medium and liberate the said dye element on the plaquesurfaces where, being dissolved by the action of the saliva, wouldrender the plaque formation visually distinguishable from the enamel andother portions of the oral cavity.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide plaquedisclosing compositions of the type stated where the water insoluble,water immiscible, hydrophobic phase containing the dye element therein,is preferably soft, semi-solid, or soft-solid state eliminating theundesirable relative free flow of the dye element as is the commoncharacteristic of fluid plaque disclosing preparations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide plaquedisclosing compositions of the type stated and a method and a process ofmaking such compositions comprising a phase of water insoluble, waterimmiscible, hydrophobic substance suspended, dispersed or emulsed in asecond phase of water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic substance,the former comprising disclosing dye elements and the latter having thepharmaceutical and physical aids which can be mass producedinexpensively, efficiently, and simply. Other objects and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art onreading the following disclosure, and therefore, the invention includesthe new and novel compositions and processes of making and using thecompositions herein illustrated.

The invention deals with plaque disclosing compositions in gel or pasteform for topical application in the oral cavity for selectively stainingthe sites of dental plaque formations comprising:

(1) a continuous phase of water soluble, water miscible, hydrophiliccolloid containing pharmacological and physical aids such as sweeteners,flavoring agents, humectants, abrasives, thickeners and emulsifiers,fluorides, preservatives, alcohols, non-staining coloring agents, andwater, and uniformly dispersed throughout said continuous phase;

(2) a discontinuous phase of plaque disclosing dye elements eachcomprising a coating or protective covering consisting of:

(a) a soft semi-solid or solid water insoluble, water immiscible,hydrophobic fine droplet of the emulsified plaque staining dye element,or

(b) a soft, semi-solid, or solid water insoluble, water immiscible,hydrophobic pressure rupturable capsule of the emulsified plaquestaining dye elements.

The dye elements are rendered substantially less water soluble wheneffectively applied in the oral cavity permitting selective adsorptionand then absorption by any plaque sites in the oral cavity, of theplaque disclosing dye elements when pressure is applied on said plaquedisclosing compositions rupturing the dye containing droplets orcapsules liberating the now water soluble dye element, withoutappreciably staining other parts of the oral cavity and non-oralobjects, the excess of the plaque disclosing compositions being readilyremoved by rinsing with water and other rinsing solutions.

The term "hydrophobic" is a general descriptive adjective for a group oforganic substances of fatty nature which are water insoluble and waterimmiscible but soluble in fat solvents.

The term "hydrophilic" is a general descriptive adjective for a group oforganic and inorganic substances which naturally form colloidalsuspensions when mixed with water but are usually not soluble in fatsolvents.

The term "absorption" is a general descriptive word referring to passageof water and dissolved substances into cells.

The term "adsorption" in the context of the present invention refers toadherence of atoms, molecules, or ions of any kind to the surface of asolid or semi-solid.

The term "dispersion" is a system of minute particles distinct andseparate from one another and suspended in a medium. A "suspension" is atwo-phase system consisting of a finely divided solid or semi-soliddispersed in another solid or in a fluid. An "emulsion" is an intimatemixture of two immiscible liquids (such as oil and water) in which oneof the liquids in the form of fine droplets is dispersed in the other.

The present invention is directed toward improved plaque disclosingcompositions and the process of making them efficiently andinexpensively in gel or paste form for topical administration to theteeth and as a diagnostic measure for self evaluation of the toothbrushing habits when the plaque formations are rendered visible to thenaked eye. The compositions of the present invention includephysiologically and pharmacologically harmless dyes suspended in equallyphysiologically and pharmacologically harmless water insoluble, waterimmiscible, hydrophobic substances which have high affinity foradsorption by the dental plaque formations without appreciably affectingthe other parts of the oral cavity and non-oral objects. Moreover, theinherent attractive forces operating from the water insoluble substancesto the lipid dental plaque matrix composition with unbalanced forces ofattraction between the two systems allow for a significantly lowerconcentration of the dye to be employed in a selective manner than ispossible in an aqueous dye solution where the interfacial tensionbetween the free moving dye elements and the lipid dental plaquecomposition is quite high.

Conventional liquid staining solutions, therefore, have employed arelatively large amount of dye to circumvent this interfacial tension.As a result, excess staining of the entire oral cavity, as well asnon-oral objects, normally results when these aqueous solutions areused. Furthermore, in the present invention, the water insolublesubstance forms a protective but adsorbable film over each dye particlerendering the dye potentially less water soluble and easily removablefrom the oral cavity by rinsing with water without appreciably affectingthe adsorbed dye on the surface of the plaque formation. The attractiveforces of adhesion between the semi-solid water insoluble protectivecoating and the lipid dental plaque formation renders the plaque readilyvisible to the naked eye and can best be removed by tooth-brushing ofthe stained plaque.

The water insoluble phase of the subject disclosing compositions actslocally when applied to the dental plaque in physical and chemicalmanner. As described above, there exist molecular and electromotiveattractive forces between the water insoluble protective film whereinthe dye element is suspended, and the dental plaque. This physicalattraction confines the dye to the site of plaque formation withoutundesirably staining the other parts of the oral cavity. Chemically,then, when a toothbrush is applied to the site of dye accumulation, thewater insoluble emulsed droplets and capsules containing the dye elementwill rupture liberating the water soluble dye element to be dissolved inthe saliva and be absorbed by the dental plaque rendering so affectedplaque distinguishable from the other parts of the tooth structuresurface.

The plaque disclosing compositions of the present invention are bestmade by dispersing a selected amount of the physiologically andpharmacologically harmless dye in an equally physiologically andpharmacologically harmless selected water insoluble, water immiscible,hydrophobic substances, incorporating a selected amount of such waterinsoluble phase in a water soluble colloidal phase wherein dissolved arethe flavoring agents, sweeteners, abrasives, humectants, thickening andemulsifying agents, fluorides, preservatives and other pharmaceuticaland physical aids and intimately mixing the two systems until ahomogeneous emulsion is obtained. This water soluble colloidal phasemay, of course, be a conventional toothpaste. It has been found for bestresults that the water soluble phase of the present plaque disclosingcompositions should not be less than twice the amount of water insolublephase (2:1).

Furthermore, in addition to the plaque disclosing dye element the waterinsoluble, water immiscible, hydrophobic phase may contain incorporatedtherein the pharmacological and physical aids, such as sweeteners,flavoring agents, abrasives, humectants, thickeners and emulsifiers,fluorides, etc., in part or in total, in selected amounts withoutmaterially altering the scope and the intent of the present invention.However, most aids being water soluble are best utilized when dissolvedin water resulting in better plaque disclosing compositions with moreacceptable consistencies. In essence, only thickening and emulsifyingagents must be present in the water phase of the present invention whenemulsified with the water insoluble phase.

The disclosing compositions of the present invention are effectivelyused by topically applying the same to the teeth allowing for selectiveabsorption and staining of plaque formation in the oral cavity renderingthe plaque readily visible with the naked eye. The stained plaque sitewill not be removed during the initial rinsing process; the excessamount of the disclosing composition may easily be removed by rinsingwith water or other rinsing solutions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The plaque disclosing compositions of the present invention are found tobe highly effective in selectively staining the sites of plaqueformations in the oral cavity through topical application to the teethclearly distinguishing the plaque formation from the rest of the oralcavity. The excess of the composition is readily removed by rinsing withwater without affecting the dye which is absorbed by the dental plaquethat can only be removed by subsequent toothbrushing.

The dispersing medium, of course, must be selected from those that arephysiologically and chemically tolerable with reference to theparticular oral utility of the invention and must be water insoluble. Itmay either be semi-solid or solid and will disperse or microencapsulatethe dye. It has been found in connection with the present invention thatthe most suitable water insoluble media for dye dispersion are:

(1) Lipids

(a) Simple Lipids--esters of fatty acids with various alcohols

i. Fats--esters of fatty acids with glycerol. Lanolin; Anhydrouslanolin.

ii. Waxes--esters of fatty acids with alcohols other than glycerol.White wax; yellow wax.

(b) Compound Lipids--esters of fatty acids containing groups in additionto an alcohol and the fatty acid.

(c) Derived Lipids--substances derived from the above groups byhydrolysis.

i. Fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated.

ii. Glycerols.

iii. Sterols and other steroids.

iv. Alcohols other than glycerol and sterols.

V. Fatty aldehydes.

(2) Alkane Series Hydrocarbons. They are substances derived frompetroleum by distillation, chilling, chemical purification andfiltration, consisting of hydrocarbons of methane and related series,and not subject to hydrolysis. Mineral oil; petrolatum; whitepetrolatum; paraffin.

(3) Fixed Oils. Neutral esters of vegetable derivation, being compoundsof acids (chiefly lauric, oleic, palmitic and stearic) with glycerin.Cottonseed oil; olive oil.

(4) Resins. Substances derived from plant origin. Canada balsam;Peruvian balsam; copal; mastic; rosin; benzoin.

The insoluble substance selected for use in the compositions of thepresent invention for dye dispersion is preferably an alkane oil of thegeneral formula C_(n) H_(2n+2). This substance is commercially availableand chemically known as "Petrolatum", a pharmacologically innocuous,practically odorless and tasteless, soft semisolid which is insoluble inwater and practically insoluble in glycerol and alcohol. I have foundthat this substance is highly effective in subject disclosingcompositions and can be incorporated in various proportions to the totalvolume of the disclosing compositions while remaining relatively freefor adsorption by the plaque formations without appreciably staining theother parts of the oral cavity and non-oral objects. Nevertheless, theexcess is easily removed by rinsing with water. The soft semisolidconsistency of the selected substance prevents free migration of theencapsulated and dispersed dyestuff and is readily emulsified with thewater soluble phase of the plaque disclosing compositions. For the mosteffective results, the water insoluble substance is present in anoperative range in an amount from about 0.1 percent to about 50 percentby weight with respect to the total weight of the composition andpreferably present in an operative range of about 1 percent to about 35percent by weight with respect to the weight of the total composition,the balance being a dye and the water soluble base consisting ofsweetening agents, flavoring agents, abrasives, thickening and bindingagents, moisture retaining agents, preservatives, fluorides, water, andother pharmaceutical, physical and mechanical aids in desired amounts.

The disclosing compositions produced in accordance with the presentinvention and which use the solid microencapsulation method for makingsuch compositions are physiologically and pharmacologically innocuouspolymers and copolymers such as polymerizing acrylonitrile; butadieneand styrene monomers; acetal copolymers; acetal homopolymers; acrylics;allyls; aminos; cellulosics; epoxys; fluoroplastics; furans; ionomers;nitrile barrier resins; nylons; phenolics; phenylene-oxide based resins;poly(amide-imide); polyaryl ethers; polyaryl sulfones; polybutadienes;polybutylenes; polycarbonates; polyesters; polyethersulfones;polyethylenes; polyimides; polyphenylene sulfides; polypropylenes;polystyrenes; polysulfones; polyurethanes; polyvinyls; silicones; saltsof heavy metals cellulose sulfates; other water soluble materials suchas gelatin and gelatin derivatives of which gelatin is the main radical;colloidal albumen; hydrolysed polyvinyl acetate; hydrolysed celluloseesters such as cellulose acetate hydrolysed to an acetyl content of 19to 26 percent; polyacrylamide or an imidized polyacrylamide; polyvinylalcohol; a vinyl alcohol polymer containing urethane carboxylic acidgroups such as the vinyl alcohol-cyanoacetate vinyl copolymer; or apolymer material which results from polymerizing protein with a monomerhaving a vinyl group; polyethylene oxide; naturally occuring orsynehetic alginates such as salts of water soluble heavy metals ofsodium, potassium and magnesium, and any combination or mixture thereof.

The most suitable members of these classes used in accordance with thepresent invention in making the solid microencapsulation method of thedisclosing compositions comprise preferably tributyl phosphate;poly(vinyl methylether/maleic anhydride) copolymer half amide, ammoniumsalt; polyethylene oxide; ethylenemaleic anhydride copolymer, half ethylether, containing concentrated ammonia. The concentration of themicroencapsulating material for the most effective result of the presentdisclosing compositions is present in operative range in an amount fromabout 0.1 percent to about 50 percent by weight with respect to theweight of total composition and preferably present in an operative rangeof about 1 percent to about 35 percent by weight with respect to thetotal weight of the composition, the balance being (1) a dye and (2) thewater soluble base comprising sweetening agents, flavoring agents,abrasives, thickening and binding agents, moisture retaining agents,preservatives, fluorides, water, and other pharmaceutical, physical andmechanical aids in desired amounts.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the componentsspecified herein will generally have additives performing specificdesired functions such as coating agents, hardeners, plasticizers,viscosity increasing agents, stabilizers, preservatives, dissolutionspeed-increasing agents, pH altering substances to maintain the pH atabout 4 to 12 and other manufacturing addendas.

The disclosing compositions produced in accordance with the presentinvention consist of coloring agents that are pharmacologically andphysiologically nontoxic when used in suggested amounts, the saidcoloring agents comprise a member of a group consisting of substanceswhich are dyes, pigments or other substances made by a process, ofsynthesis or similar artifice, extracted, isolated, or otherwisederived, with or without intermediate or final change of identity, froma vegetable, animal, mineral, or other source that, when added orapplied to plaque formation or any other surface or substance, iscapable, alone or through reaction with other substance, of imparting acolor thereto. Some examples of the members of the group are azo dyes,acridine dyes, fluorescein (pyronine) dyes, phenolphthalein dyes,triphenylmethane (rosaniline) dyes, and methylene blue.

The most advantageous dyes for use in the plaque disclosing compositionsof the present invention are food color additives that are presentlycertified under the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act for use in food andingested drugs, including dyes such as FD&C Red No. 3 (sodium salt oftetraiodofluorescein), FD&C Yellow No. 5 (sodium salt of4-p-sulfophenylazo-1-p-sulfophenyl-5-hydroxypyrazole-3-carboxylic acid),FD&C Yellow No. 6 (sodium salt ofp-sulfophenylazo-β-naphtol-6-monosulfonate), FD&C Green No. 3 (disodiumsalt of4-{[4-(N-ethyl-p-sulfobenzylamino)-phenyl]-(4-hydroxy-2-sulfoniumphenyl)-methylene}-[1-(N-ethyl-N-p-sulfobenzyl)-Δ-3,5-cyclohexadienimine],FD&C Blue No. 1 (disodium salt ofdibenzyldiethyl-diaminotriphenylcarbinol trisulfonic acid anhydrite),FD&C Blue No. 2 (sodium salt of disulfonic acid of indigotin) andmixtures thereof in various proprotions. The concentration of the dyefor the most effective result in the present invention is present in theoperative range in an amount from about 0.05 percent to about 25 percentby weight with respect to the weight of the total composition andpreferably present from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent of thetotal weight of the composition.

It has been found that any of the above dyes are very effective in thecontext of the present disclosing compositions in that they can beincorporated in water insoluble medium without dissolution and stillremain relatively free for adsorption and absorption by plaque formationin the oral cavity. The water insoluble substance coats and thusencapsulates each individual dye particle and being soft semisolid,tenaciously hangs on to the dye and, therefore, prevents substantialundesired discoloration of the other parts of the oral cavity andnon-oral objects.

Each of the aforementioned components, namely the dye and the waterinsoluble phase (medium) is suspended and emulsed in water solublemedium composed of a thickening and binding agent in water. Thethickening and binding agent is preferably an emulsifying substancewhich is added to the composition in a nontoxic amount and ispharmacologically compatible with the water insoluble phase to formfinely divided water insoluble particles containing the dye when the twophases are mixed. However, the amount must be sufficient to provide acomposition thick enough to permit topical application to the oralcavity without free flowing effect and subsequent undesired staining ofother parts of the oral cavity and non-oral objects. Some of thepreferred substances that meet the requirements of the present plaquedisclosing compositions are mucilaginous substances selected from thegroup consisting of acacia; bentonite; carrageenan-Irish moss extractiveof sodium, potassium or calcium salt; methylcellulose; sodiumcarboxymethycellulose; sterculia gum; tragacanth; sodium, pottasium andmagnesium alginates; polyethylene glycols; gelatin; guar gum; xanthangum; propylene glycol alginates; galactomannans and like substances, andmixtures thereof. The concentration of the thickening and emulsifyingagent which may be used in the compositions of the present invention ispresent in the amount from about 0.05 percent to about 10 percent byweight with respect to the weight of the total weight of the compositionand preferably present from about 0.1 to about 5 percent of the totalweight of the composition.

The compositions of the present invention may also include flavoringagents, sweeteners, abrasives, moisture retaining substances, fluorides,preservatives and alcohols, and foaming and surface active agents.

Some of the sweetening agents that can be used in the subject disclosingcompositions are selected from the group consisting of saccharine,sodium saccharine, xylitol, sorbitol, sodium cyclamate and sugar, andmixtures thereof.

Examples of abrasives are calcium carbonate, one or more of the calciumphosphates, calcium sulfate, hydrated aluminum oxide, magnesiumcarbonate and phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, dibasic and tribasic sodiumphosphate, hydrated silica xerogel, hydrated silica aerogel, magnesiumoxide, insoluble sodium metaphosphate, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate,and mixtures thereof.

Examples of moisture retaining substances or humectants are glycerin,propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol in the series from 10 and up, butnot limited to 50,000, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, sorbitol,polysorbate, polyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitanmonolaurate, (etc.) and mixtures thereof.

Examples of foaming and surface active agents that can be used in thedisclosing compositions of the present invention are dioctyl sodiumsulfosuccinate, sodium alkyl sulfoacetate, sodium lauryl sulfate,sulfocolaurate, sodium lauryl sarcocinate, sodium coconut monoglyceritesulfonate, benzalkonium chloride, benzelthonium chloride, thonzoniumbromide, cetyl pyridinium bromide, cetyl pyridinium chloride, sodiumtetradecyl sulfate, (etc.) and mixtures thereof.

Examples of flavoring agents which can be used in the disclosingcompositions of the present invention are essential oils such as aniseoil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, eucalyptol, eucalyptus oil, eugenol,menthol, methyl salycilate, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, natural orsynthetic substances such as blackberry, strawberry, cherry, grape,lime, lemon, mint, (etc.) and mixtures thereof.

Examples of fluorides are sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, sodiummonofluorophosphate, (etc.) and mixtures thereof.

Examples of preservatives which can be used in the disclosingcompositions of the present invention are methylparaben, propylparaben,phenylmercuric nitrate, sodium bisulfite, sodium nitrite, sodiumthiosulfate, sodium benzoate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid,chlorobutanol, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate, disodium calciumEDTA, (etc.) and mixtures thereof.

The compositions of the present invention may also include certainalcohols and water.

The disclosing compositions produced in accordance with the presentinvention will generally have components specified herein in the amountsof from about 0.05 percent to about 5 percent sweetening agent; fromabout 0.05 percent to about 25 percent flavoring agents; from about 2.0percent to about 65 percent humectants; from about 0.05 percent to about5.0 percent surfactants; from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percentmucilaginous agents; from about 0.10 percent to about 5.0 percentfluoride compounds; from about 1.0 percent to about 65 percent abrasiveagents; from about 0.10 percent to about 20 percent alcohols, from about0.05 percent to about 5.0 percent preservative; from about 0.0001percent to about 5.0 percent of an added coloring agent; and from about0.0 percent to about 50.0 percent water.

The concentration of the water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilicphase is dependent upon the consistency desired and may be present inthe operative range in an amount from about 0.5 percent to about 75percent by weight with respect to the weight of total composition andpreferably present in an operative range of about 5 percent to about 65percent by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.

In summary, the plaque disclosing compositions of the present inventioncomprise a dyestuff and encapsulated by a water insoluble, solid orsemi-solid substance and a water soluble colloidal phase comprisingpharmacological and physical aids such as sweetening agents, abrasives,humectants, fluorides, alcohols, preservatives, etc. all or in part. Thetwo immiscible phases are mechanically mixed into an intimate emulsionin such a way that the water insoluble phase containing the dyestuff isdispersed in the form of fine droplets in the water soluble phase withthe aid of an emulsifier and a mechanical shear device such as acolloidal mill. The dye component is rendered substantially less watersoluble when effectively applied to the oral cavity, permittingselective adsorption and absorption by any plaque containing site in theoral cavity, the excess amounts of the plaque disclosing compositionsbeing easily rinsed from the oral cavity by tap water and other rinsingsolutions without undesirably staining other portions of the oral cavityand non-oral objects. The adsorbed dye by the attractive forces ofadhesion existing between the water insoluble protective covering andthe plaque matrix first tenaciously attached to the surface of theplaque formation and subsequently is effectively wiped off from itswater insoluble film by the mechanical action of the toothbrush,subsequently becoming dissolved by the action of the saliva, renderingthe plaque readily visible to the naked eye. The stained plaqueformation may then be removed in a subsequent toothbrushing procedure.

Furthermore, the pharmacological and physical aids may, in part or inwhole, in selected amounts, be incorporated in the water insoluble phasecontaining the dye without materially altering the scope of the presentinvention. However, most aids being water soluble are best utilized whendissolved in water resulting in better plaque disclosing compositionswith more acceptable consistencies. Only a thickening and emulsifyingagent need be present in the water phase of the present invention whenemulsified with the water insoluble phase.

EXAMPLES

In order to point out more fully the nature of the present invention,the following specific examples are given as an illustrative embodimentof the present process and compositions produced thereby.

EXAMPLE 1

(A) In 100 grams Petrolatum, 4 grams of Erythrosine (FD&C Red No. 3) issuspended and run through a colloidal mill three times to obtain ahomogeneous suspension.

(B) The water soluble phase contains the following:

    ______________________________________                                                           Weight %                                                   ______________________________________                                        Sodium monofluorophosphate                                                                         0.76                                                     Calcium carbonate    12.60                                                    Silica               12.00                                                    Sorbitol (70% solution)                                                                            52.80                                                    Polyethylene glycol  3.00                                                     Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                              1.15                                                     Water                15.00                                                    Sodium carboxymethylcellulose                                                                      1.50                                                     Peppermint Oil       1.00                                                     Methylparaben        0.19                                                     ______________________________________                                    

After the water insoluble, semi-solid dye suspension (A) has beenprepared to desired consistency, 10 grams of this composition is slowlyadded to 100 grams of the water soluble paste suspension (B) and theintimate mixture of the two immiscible phases are dispersed in eachother and then, with the aid of the colloidal mill, agitated untilextremely fine droplets of and encapsulated dye suspension are obtained.

The final composition of the plaque disclosing emulsion then is:

    ______________________________________                                                           Weight %                                                   ______________________________________                                        Erythrosine (FD & C Red No. 3)                                                                     0.40                                                     Petrolatum           9.60                                                     Sodium monofluorophosphate                                                                         0.69                                                     Calcium carbonate    11.34                                                    Silica               10.80                                                    Sorbitol (70% solution)                                                                            47.51                                                    Polyethylene glycol  2.70                                                     Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                              1.04                                                     Water                13.50                                                    Sodium carboxymethylcellulose                                                                      1.35                                                     Oil of Peppermint    0.90                                                     Methylparaben        0.17                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The resultant plaque disclosing composition in paste form was appliedtopically using a cotton applicator in the oral cavity on a clinicaltrial subject. In this instance, a toothbrush was not used. The subjectwas instructed to swish the composition around the oral cavity for 11/2minutes and then rinse with water. The oral cavity was then examined andwas found to be free of any stains on any portion of the oral cavity.

The same subject was then instructed to apply the plaque disclosingcomposition in the oral cavity using a toothbrush and brush the teethfor 11/2 minutes and then rinse with water. The oral cavity was thenclinically examined and the composition/procedure was found to be highlyeffective in selectively staining plaque formation, rendering the plaqueclearly visible to the naked eye. The excess of the composition waseasily removed by the rinsing process without staining remainingportions of the oral cavity.

EXAMPLE 2

(A) 40 grams of a mixture of tributyl phosphate and Erythrosine dye(FD&C Red No. 3) in a proportion 2:1 by weight are mixed with a nonionicsurfactant, such as Igepal CO 610, and emulsified in 100 grams of 1percent solution of poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic anhydride) copolymerhalf amide, ammonium salt. The resulting emulsion is mixed with 200grams of a warm (50° C.) 5 percent solution of polyethylene oxide(POLYOX Resin WSR-301). The mixture is then diluted with 200 ml. ofwater, and stirred and cooled in an ice bath for 30 minutes. It is thentreated with 100 grams of a 10 percent solution of ethylene-maleicanhydride copolymer, half methyl ether, which contains 1 ml. ofconcentrated ammonia. The resulting emulsion is further diluted with 200ml. of cold water and slowly stirred in an ice bath for 1 hour longer.At this time, 39-40 ml. of 0.3 N hydrochloric acid is added dropwise.The precipitated emulsion is stirred in ice bath for 15 minutes longer.The resultant capsules can be dried and isolated by a variety oftechniques. These include spray drying, centrifugation, filtration, etc.In this instance, the capsuled Erythrosine dye was filtered and allowedto dry for 1 hour. After drying, the capsules were weighed and setaside. The weight was 35 grams of which 13.30 grams represented pureErythrosine dye.

(B) The water soluble phase contained the following:

    ______________________________________                                                          Weight %                                                    ______________________________________                                        Stannous fluoride   0.40                                                      Stannous pyrophosphate                                                                            1.00                                                      Calcium pyrophosphate                                                                             39.00                                                     Glycerin            10.00                                                     Sorbitol (70% solution)                                                                           16.00                                                     Water               29.00                                                     Sodium n-lauroyl sarcosinate                                                                      2.00                                                      Cellulose gum       1.00                                                      Sodium saccharine   0.20                                                      Oil of wintergreen  0.90                                                      Sodium benzoate     0.50                                                      ______________________________________                                    

After the solidly microencapsulated Erythrosine dye is thoroughly dried(A), 1.50 grams of it is mixed with 98.50 grams of the water solublepaste colloidal suspension (B) and gently but thoroughly stirred untilan intimate emulsion of the two immiscible phases is obtained.Mechanical shear devices, such as a colloidal mill, should be avoidedlest some of the microencapsulated erythrosine dye may rupture and stainother portions of the oral cavity and non-oral objects when topicallyapplied to the teeth.

The final composition of the plaque disclosing paste prepared accordingto the microencapsulation method of the present example is:

    ______________________________________                                                        Weight %                                                      ______________________________________                                        Microencapsulated dye                                                         (38% pure Erythrosine)                                                                          1.50      (Erythrosine 0.57)                                Stannous fluoride 0.39                                                        Stannous pyrophosphate                                                                          0.99                                                        Calcium pyrophosphate                                                                           38.42                                                       Glycerin          9.73                                                        Sorbitol (70% solution)                                                                         15.72                                                       Water             28.73                                                       Sodium n-lauroyl sarcosinate                                                                    1.99                                                        Cellulose gum     0.99                                                        Sodium saccharine 0.19                                                        Oil of Wintergreen                                                                              0.89                                                        Sodium benzoate   0.46                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The plaque disclosing composition in paste form was applied topically tothe teeth in the oral cavity on a clinical trial subject in the samemanner as described above in EXAMPLE 1 with similar results. There wasno evidence of staining either of plaque formation or the dentine andthe mucous membranes in the oral cavity when the composition was appliedwith cotton applicator and the subject instructed to swish thecomposition around the oral cavity for 11/2 minutes and then rinse withwater. The plaque disclosing composition was completely removed fromboth the plaque formation and the other portion of the oral cavity,without any sign of discoloration after the initial rinsing.

The result was also similar as in EXAMPLE 1 described above when theclinical subject was instructed to use a toothbrush and brush the teethfor 11/2 minutes and then rinse with water. The dye was found to clearlydistinguish the plaque formation from the remaining portions of the oralcavity and the excess of the composition was easily removed by rinsingwith tap water and the dye which was absorbed by the dental plaque wasnot removed by this oral rinsing.

EXAMPLE 3

(A) Example 1(A) is repeated except that the water insoluble substanceused is mineral oil and to this water insoluble agent Erythrosine dye(FD & C Red No. 3) is added in the same manner as used in Example 1(A)in the same amount, namely 100 grams and 4 grams, respectively.

(B) The water soluble phase in gel form contained the following:

    ______________________________________                                                        Weight %                                                      ______________________________________                                        Stannous fluoride 0.40                                                        Hydrated silica xerogel                                                                         10.00                                                       Hydrated silica aerogel                                                                         11.00                                                       Sorbitol          67.90                                                       Polyethylene glycol                                                                             5.00                                                        Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                           1.50                                                        Sodium saccharine 0.20                                                        Sodium benzoate   0.50                                                        Cellulose gum     1.00                                                        Spearmint oil     1.00                                                        SD alcohol 38B    1.50                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Composition (A) and composition (B) are mixed in the same manner and inthe same amounts as in Example 1.

The final composition of the plaque disclosing composition in gel formis:

    ______________________________________                                                           Weight %                                                   ______________________________________                                        Erythrosine (FD & C Red No. 3)                                                                     0.40                                                     Stannous fluoride    0.32                                                     Mineral oil          19.60                                                    Hydrated silica xerogel                                                                            8.00                                                     Hydrated silica aerogel                                                                            8.80                                                     Sorbitol             54.32                                                    Polyethylene glycol  4.00                                                     Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                              1.20                                                     Sodium saccharine    0.16                                                     Sodium benzoate      0.40                                                     Cellulose gum        0.80                                                     Spearmint oil        0.80                                                     SD alcohol 38B       1.20                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The plaque disclosing composition in gel form was applied topically tothe teeth in the oral cavity of a clinical trial subject in the samemanner as described above in Example 1 with similar results. There wasno evidence of staining either plaque formation or other parts of theoral cavity when the composition was applied with cotton applicator.Again the trial subject was instructed to swish the gel compositionaround the oral cavity for 11/2 minutes and rinse with water. There wasno residual discoloration of the plaque site or the dentine after theinitial rinsing.

The result was again similar as in Example 1 described above when theclinical subject was instructed to use a toothbrush and brush the teethfor 11/2 minutes and then rinse with water. There was very evidentdiscoloration of the plaque site after the excess plaque composition wasremoved by the initial rinsing with water. The dye absorbed by thedental plaque formation tenaciously adhered to the surface of the plaqueand was removed by the subsequent brushing.

EXAMPLE 4

(A) To 45 ml. of polyglycol (11-200 Dow Chemical Company) formed by thecondensation of glycerol and propylene oxide and having a molecularweight of about 2700, was added 1 gram of FD & C Red No. 3 and 1 gram ofFD & C Green No. 3. The solution was then dispersed in 80 grams of 11.1percent gum arabic and emulsified for 10 minutes, at the end of whichtime the droplet size varied from about 0.7 to about 5 microns. Thedispersion was then added to 80 grams of 11.1 percent solution ofpigskin gelatin, the pH of which was adjusted so that the final pH ofthe mixture was 4.7 to 5. The temperature was kept at 50 to 55 degreesC. While rapidly stirring the mixture, 178 ml. of water was added. Themixture while still being continuously agitated, was then added to arapidly stirred cold water bath which contained about 2.5 liters and washeld at a temperature of 3 to 5 degrees C. The highly swollen coacervategelled around each oil droplet. A minute amount of anti-foaming agent(SS-60-General Electric Company) was added to the chilled bath beforethe addition of coacervate to eliminate foaming. The mixture was thenstirred for approximately 30 minutes to assure separation of eachcapsule. The capsules were then hardened by the addition of 40 grams of25 percent of aqueous glutaraldehyde solution and stirred for 3 hours. A10 percent sodium acetate solution was then added to the suspensionwhile stirring until coagulation occurred. The coagulum was then washedfor 3 hours with cold water. The wet coagulum was then drained of excesswater and stored, until ready for addition to a water soluble phase (B)as follows:

(B) Example 1(B) is repeated in the same manner and in the same amountusing the same ingredients in the same weight percentages.

After the microencapsulated mixture (A) of FD & C Red No. 3 and FD & CGreen No. 3 is completely dried, 2.40 grams of it is slowly added to97.60 grams of the water soluble colloidal suspension (B) and, the twophases are dispersed in each other until an intimate emulsion of the twoimmiscible phases is obtained. Again, as in Example 2, mechanical sheardevices must be avoided.

The final composition of the plaque disclosing paste according to thepresent example was:

    ______________________________________                                                    Weight %                                                          ______________________________________                                        Microencapsulated dye                                                                       2.40     (FD & C Red 3 = 0.20%)                                 (16.66% pure dye)      (FD & C Green 3 = 0.20%)                               Sodium monofluoro-                                                            phosphate     0.74                                                            Calcium carbonate                                                                           12.30                                                           Silica        11.71                                                           Sorbitol (70% solution)                                                                     51.53                                                           Polyethylene glycol                                                                         2.94                                                            Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                       1.12                                                            Water         14.64                                                           Sodium carboxy-                                                               methylcellulose                                                                             1.46                                                            Oil of peppermint                                                                           0.98                                                            Methylparaben 0.19                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The plaque disclosing composition in paste form in accordance with thepresent invention was applied topically to the teeth in the oral cavityof a clinical trial subject in the same manner as described in Example 1with similar results. There was no evidence of staining after initialrinsing with water either of plaque formation or the other parts of theoral cavity when the composition was applied with a cotton applicator,but there was a distinct discoloration of the plaque formation when atoothbrush was used, without any undesired discoloration of the otherpart of the oral cavity. The excess plaque disclosing composition notabsorbed by the dental plaque was readily removed in the initial rinsingwith water.

EXAMPLE 5

(A) To 45 ml. of a 5 percent solution of azo-bis (isobutyronitrile) indi-n-butyl-phthalate was added 2 grams of Erythrosine dye (FD & C RedNo. 3) which was then dispersed into 80 grams of 11.1 percent gum arabicand emulsified until the droplet size varied from about 0.8 to about 6microns. The dispersion was then added to 80 grams of 11.1 percentsolution of gelatin at a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees C. The pH wasadjusted to 4.8. While rapidly stirring, 178 ml. of water was added tothe mixture. The mixture was then added to 3 liter of cold (5° C.) waterin order to gel the coacervate. The capsules were hardened by theaddition of 40 grams of a 25 percent solution glutaraldehyde to thesuspension and stirred for 3 hours. The suspension was then coagulatedby means of sodium acetate after which the coagulum was washed for threehours with cold water. After draining to remove excess water, 50 gramsof the coagulum was mixed with 75 ml. of hot water, 10 ml. of 7 percentgelatin solution and two drops of GE SS-60 Anti-foaming Agent. Themixture was dispersed with a Waring Blendor for 20 seconds, then mixedwith 0.3 ml. of a 2 percent solution of Duponol dispersing agent, andwashed with cold water for 3 hours. The wet coagulum was drained ofexcess water and stored, until ready for addition to the water solublephase.

(B) The water soluble phase of the plaque disclosing composition in gelform was prepared in the same manner and in the same amounts using thesame ingredients as in Example 3 (B).

After the microencapsulated Erythrosine dye is thoroughly dried, 2.40grams of it is mixed with 97.60 grams of the water soluble gel colloidalsuspension (B) and gently but thoroughly stirred until an intimateemulsion of the two immiscible phases is obtained. Mechanical sheardevices, such as a colloidal mill, should be avoided.

The final composition of the plaque disclosing gel prepared according tothe microencapsulated example of the present invention is:

    ______________________________________                                                      Weight %                                                        ______________________________________                                        Microencapsulated dye                                                                         2.40                                                          (16.66% pure dye)        (Erythrosine 0.40%)                                  Stannous fluoride                                                                             0.39                                                          Hydrated silica xerogel                                                                       9.76                                                          Hydrated silica aerogel                                                                       10.74                                                         Sorbitol        66.28                                                         Polyethylene glycol                                                                           4.88                                                          Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                         1.46                                                          Sodium saccharine                                                                             0.19                                                          Sodium benzoate 0.48                                                          Cellulose gum   0.98                                                          Spearmint oil   0.98                                                          SD alcohol 38B  1.46                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The plaque disclosing composition in gel form was again appliedtopically to the teeth of a clinical trial subject in the same manner asdescribed above in all examples with similar results. There was noevidence of staining either plaque formation or other parts of the oralcavity when the composition was applied with a cotton applicator. In asimilar manner as in all previous examples, the trial subject wasinstructed to swish the gel composition in the oral cavity for 11/2minutes and then rinse with water.

However, when the same clinical trial subject was instructed to use atoothbrush and brush the teeth for 11/2 minutes and then rinse withwater, the dye absorbed by the dental plaque renders the plaqueformation distinctly visible to the naked eye distinguishing it from theother parts of the oral cavity and is not removed by the initial rinsingwith water as is the excess of the plaque disclosing composition notabsorbed by the plaque formation.

EXAMPLE 6

(A) To 80 grams of Petrolatum the following are added: Erythrosine dye(FD & C Red No. 3) 0.40 grams; stannous fluoride 0.40 grams; hydratedsilica xerogel 10.00 grams; hydrated silica aerogel 11.00 grams;sorbitol 67.90 grams; sodium lauryl sulfate 1.50 grams; Spearmint oil1.00 gram; and SD alcohol 38B 1.50 grams. The suspension was run througha colloidal mill three times to insure a homogeneous mixture.

(B) To 20 ml. of water sodium saccharine 0.20 grams, polyethelene glycol5.00 grams; sodium benzoate 0.10 grams; and cellulose gum 1.00 gram areslowly added with constant stirring until all ingredients are completelydissolved.

80 grams of the previously prepared plaque disclosing dye suspension (A)is added to 20 grams of the water soluble phase (B) and the intimatemixture of the two immiscible phases are dispersed in each other andthen, with the aid of the colloidal mill, thoroughly mixed until allcomponents are evenly dispersed and an emulsion of dye suspension withextremely fine droplets is obtained.

The various components are found to be present in the final disclosingcomposition in the following listed approximate percentages by weight:

    ______________________________________                                                          Weight %                                                    ______________________________________                                        Erythrosine dye (FD & C Red                                                   No. 3)              0.40                                                      Stannous fluoride   0.40                                                      Hydrated silica xerogel                                                                           10.00                                                     Hydrated silica aerogel                                                                           11.00                                                     Sorbitol            67.90                                                     Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                             1.50                                                      Spearmint oil       1.00                                                      SD alcohol 38B      1.50                                                      Sodium saccharine   0.20                                                      Polyethylene glycol 5.00                                                      Sodium benzoate     0.10                                                      Cellulose gum       1.00                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The viscosity of plaque disclosing composition in this example was thesame as in the previous examples, however, the higher content of thewater insoluble and water immiscible petrolatum (80 percent of the totalweight of the composition) contributes to less effective staining of thedental plaque formation on the trial subject when the application iseffected either by cotton applicator or by toothbrush. The large amountof the water insoluble and water immiscible substance in proportion tothe disclosing dye prevents effective absorption of the dye by theplaque formation when applied to the teeth and is not readily removed bythe initial rinsing with water. In addition, the consistency of the gelcomposition was found to be not quite as acceptable as when thepharmacological and physical aids are dissolved directly in water priorto emulsifying with the water insoluble dye composition.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 1 is repeated except that to 2.25 grams of the water insolubleand water immiscible petrolatum, 2 grams of the Erythrosine dye (FD & CRed No. 3) is added in the same manner to formulate the water insolubledye phase 1(A).

To 99.55 grams of the water soluble phase of Example 1(B), 0.45 grams ofthe above dye composition is added and processed in the same manner asin Example 1, i.e., a colloidal mill was used to disperse the dyeelement into fine droplets. The various components are found to bepresent in the final disclosing composition in the following listedapproximate percentages by weight:

    ______________________________________                                                        Weight %                                                      ______________________________________                                        Dye composition   0.45      (Pure dye 0.40%)                                  Sodium monofluorophosphate                                                                      0.76                                                        Calcium carbonate 12.58                                                       Silica            12.00                                                       Sorbitol (70% solution)                                                                         52.60                                                       Polyethylene glycol                                                                             3.00                                                        Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                           1.14                                                        Water             14.80                                                       Sodium carboxymethylcellulose                                                                   1.48                                                        Oil of peppermint 1.00                                                        Methylparaben     0.19                                                        ______________________________________                                    

There is no appreciable variance in viscosity between the disclosingcomposition described above and the disclosing compositions of previousexamples, however, the lower content of the water insoluble and waterimmiscible petrolatum (0.45 percent of the total weight of thecomposition) contributes to a less effective staining of the dentalplaque formation on a trial subject when the application is effectedeither by cotton applicator or by toothbrush. Accordingly, thecomposition in this example has to be held in contact with the dentalplaque for a slightly longer period of time to obtain substantially thesame staining effect, and is readily removed by rinsing with waterbefore such staining can be effected.

EXAMPLE 8

Example 3 is repeated except that the water insoluble and waterimmiscible agent used is lanolin and 20 grams of this water insoluble,dye-containing phase is added in the same manner as used in Example 3 to80 grams of water soluble phase comprising in approximate weight percentof 0.40% stannous fluoride, 10% hydrated silica xerogel, 11% hydratedsilica aerogel, 67.90% sorbiton, 5% polyethylene glycol, 1.50% sodiumlauryl sulfate, 0.20% sodium saccharine, 0.50% sodium benzoate, 1%cellulose gum, 1% spearmint oil, and 1.50% SD alcohol 38B.

The various components are found to be present in final disclosingcomposition in the following listed approximate percentages by weight.

    ______________________________________                                                           Weight %                                                   ______________________________________                                        Erythrosine (FD & C Red No. 3)                                                                     0.40                                                     Stannous fluoride    0.32                                                     Lanolin              19.60                                                    Hydrated silica xerogel                                                                            8.00                                                     Hydrated silica aerogel                                                                            8.80                                                     Sorbitol             54.32                                                    Polyethylene glycol  4.00                                                     Sodium lauryl sulfate                                                                              1.20                                                     Sodium saccharine    0.16                                                     Sodium benzoate      0.40                                                     Cellulose gum        0.80                                                     Spearmint oil        0.80                                                     SD alcohol 38B       1.20                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The plaque disclosing composition described above is found to be veryeffective in selectively staining the plaque formations in the oralcavity through topical application to the teeth. Initially, thecomposition is applied to the teeth of a selected clinical trial subjectby means of a cotton applicator and the subject is instructed to swishthe composition in the mouth and around the teeth for 11/2 minutes andthen rinse with water. Since there is no dissolution of the dye elementto affect the plaque formation, the plaque disclosing composition wasquickly and completely removed from the site of plaque formation and theremaining portion of the oral cavity without any distinguishing sign ofdiscoloration of either.

Almost immediately thereafter, the composition is applied to the teethof the same clinical trial subject by means of a toothbrush and thesubject is instructed to brush the teeth thoroughly for 11/2 minutes andthen rinse with water. The dye was found to clearly distinguish the siteof plaque formation from the remaining portion of the oral cavity.During the rinsing process, the water insoluble substance tenaciouslyadheres to the plaque formation and is not removed until subsequentbrushing but the excess composition is readily removed by this oralrinsing.

The same clinical trial subject is used for both application of theplaque composition by means of cotton applicator and application bytoothbrush, to more dramatically illustrate the effectiveness andefficiency of the plaque disclosing composition of the present inventionunder similar conditions.

EXAMPLE 9

A set of plaque disclosing compositions were made in which the watersoluble phase containing the pharmaceutical and physical aids containedthe same ingredients and in the same amount as in Example 3 (B) and inwhich the dye disclosing element Erythrosine (FD & C Red No. 3) in theamount of 0.40 percent was suspended in a plurality of emulsifying andthickening agents in amounts to produce viscosities from about 50,000 toabout 120,000 centipoise.

    ______________________________________                                                        Emulsifying and Thickening                                    Disclosing Composition                                                                        (Gelling) Agent                                               ______________________________________                                        A               White wax                                                     B               Canada balsam                                                 C               Hydroxyethyl cellulose                                        D               Sodium carboxymethylcellulose                                 E               Silica aerogel                                                F               Tragacanth                                                    G               Paraffin                                                      H               Cottonseed oil                                                ______________________________________                                    

The above set of plaque disclosing compositions were prepared in thesame manner and in the same amounts as in Example 1.

A sample of each plaque disclosing composition was used on selectedclinical trial subjects of similar oral manifestations of plaqueaccumulation on their teeth and presenting the followingcharacteristics:

1. were not undergoing orthodontic treatment.

2. did not wear partial dentures.

3. hand no more than six teeth missing on either arch.

4. no clinically detectable periodontal involvement.

5. had prophylaxis at least one month prior to the study but not morethan six months.

6. were not undergoing extensive restorative treatment during the study.

The plaque disclosing composition was applied to the assignedparticipant's teeth by means of cotton applicator and the participantwas instructed to swish the composition around the teeth for 11/2minutes and then rinse with water. Teeth were examined then for stainingof the plaque formation and other portions of the oral cavity before theparticipant was instructed to use a toothbrush for application of theassigned plaque composition to the teeth and again brush for about 11/2minutes before rinsing with water. Teeth were then again examined forclinical manifestations of staining of plaque formations anddiscolorations of other parts of the oral cavity and recorded. Theresults were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                               Staining                                                                      Cotton Applicator                                                                           Toothbrush                                               Disclosing                                                                             Plaque    Other     Plaque  Other                                    Composition                                                                            Formation Parts     Formation                                                                             Parts                                    ______________________________________                                        A        No staining                                                                             No staining                                                                             Staining                                                                              No staining                              B        No staining                                                                             No staining                                                                             Staining                                                                              No staining                              C        Staining  Staining  Staining                                                                              Staining                                 D        Staining  Staining  Staining                                                                              Staining                                 E        Staining  Staining  Staining                                                                              Staining                                 F        Staining  Staining  Staining                                                                              Staining                                 G        No staining                                                                             No staining                                                                             Staining                                                                              No staining                              H        No staining                                                                             No staining                                                                             Staining                                                                              No staining                              ______________________________________                                    

The above table indicates that disclosing compositions C, D, E and Fbeing water soluble emulsifying and thickening (gelling) agents are notselectively staining plaque formations in the oral cavity when appliedeither by means of cotton applicator or toothbrush even in a highviscosity range of 50,000 to 120,000 centipoise. Disclosing compositionsA, B, G, and H, being water insoluble, are highly selective in stainingplaque formation in the oral cavity only when a toothbrush was used toapply the composition on the teeth of each participant. Furthermore, thewater insolubility of the dye dispersion medium is far more important inthe selective staining of the plaque formation than is the viscosity ofthe said dye dispersion medium which, in aqueous environment, wouldpartially dissolve together with the dye element resulting inindiscriminate discoloration of the entire oral cavity as was found insamples C, D, E, and F.

Thus, there has been described a unique and novel dental disclosingcomposition comprising dye dispersion rather than dye solution which iseasily applied to the teeth in a human oral cavity for selectivestaining of any plaque formation therein and which does not undesirablystain other portions of the oral cavity, and thereby fulfills all theobjects and advantages sought for evaluation and motivation in the toothbrushing practices of the user. It should be understood that changes andmodifications including the substitution, elimination or addition ofvarious components can be made in the subject disclosing compositions,or the method of making such compositions, or the method of using suchcompositions, without departing from the nature and principle of theinvention. Therefore, all such changes and modifications which do notdepart from the nature and principle of the invention are deemed to becovered by the invention which is limited only by the claims.

The invention provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavity forselectively staining the sites of dental plaque formations comprising acontinuous phase of water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic colloidcomprising pharmacologically and physiologically harmlesspharmacological and physical aids and uniformly dispersed throughoutsaid continuous phase and a discontinuous phase of water insoluble waterimmiscible, hydrophobic emulsion of pharmacologically and phsiologicallyharmless plaque staining dye elements, the dye elements being renderedsubstantially less water soluble when effectively applied in the oralcavity permitting for selective absorption of the said pharmacologicallyand physiologically harmless plaque staining dye elements by the sitesof dental plaque formations without appreciably staining other portionsof the oral cavity and non-oral objects, the excess of the plaquedisclosing composition being readily removed by rinsing with water andother rinsing solutions.

The invention also provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavity forselectively staining the sites of dental plaque formations comprising acontinuous phase of water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic colloidcomprising pharmacologically and physiologically harmlesspharmacological and physical aids selected from a class consisting ofsweeteners, flavoring agents, humectants, abrasives, thickeners andemulsifiers, fluoride compounds, preservatives, surface active agents,alcohols, and water and uniformly dispersed throughout said continuousphase, and a discontinuous phase of water insoluble, water immiscible,hydrophobic emulsion of pharmacologically and physiologically harmlessplaque staining dye elements comprise members of a group consisting ofsubstances which are dyes, pigments and other substances made by aprocess of synthesis or similar artifices, or extracted, isolated, orotherwise derived, with or without intermediate or final change ofidentity, from a vegetable, animal, mineral, or other source that, whenadded or applied to plaque formation or any other substance or surface,is capable alone or through reaction with other substances, of impartinga color thereto, the dye element being rendered substantially less watersoluble when effectively applied in the oral cavity permitting forselective absorption of the said pharmacologically and physiologicallyharmless plaque staining dye elements by the sites of dental plaqueformations without appreciable staining other portions of the oralcavity and non-oral objects, the excess of the plaque disclosingcomposition being readily removed by rinsing with water and otherrinsing solutions.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavity forselectively staining the sites of dental plaque formations comprising acontinuous phase of water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic colloidcomprising pharmacologically and physiologically harmlesspharmacological and physical aids and uniformly dispersed throughoutsaid continuous phase and a discontinuous phase of emulsified plaquedisclosing dye elements each comprising a core or protective coveringcomprising a soft semi-solid or soft solid water insoluble, waterimmiscible, pressure rupturable, hydrophobic fine droplets of theemulsified plaque staining dye elements and a soft semi-solid or softsolid water insoluble, water immiscible, pressure rupturable capsule ofthe emulsified plaque staining dye elements, the dye elements beingrendered substantially less water soluble when effectively applied inthe oral cavity permitting for selective absorption by any plaque sitesin the human oral cavity of the plaque disclosing dye elements whenpressure is applied on the said plaque disclosing compositions rupturingthe emulsified dye containing droplets or capsules thereby liberatingthe water soluble dye elements to affect the selective staining of theimmediately positioned plaque formation with appreciably staining otherportions of the oral cavity and non-oral objects, the excess plaquedisclosing composition being readily removed by rinsing with water andother rinsing solutions.

The invention further provides a process and method for making a plaquedisclosing composition wherein the pharmacologically and physiologicallyharmless plaque staining dye elements are selected from FD & C Red No.3, FD & C Yellow No. 5, FD & C Yellow No. 6, FD & C Green No. 3, FD & CBlue No. 1, FD & C Blue No. 2, and FD & C Green No. 2 and mixturesthereof.

The invention further provides a process and method for making a plaquedisclosing composition wherein the pharmacologically and physiologicallyharmless pharmacological and physical aids are being added in nontoxicamounts within the following range percent by weight based on the totalweight of the composition: (a) sweeteners, 0.05-5.00%; (b) flavoringagents, 0.05-25%; (c) humectants, 2.0-65%; (d) abrasives, 1.0-65%; (e)thickeners and emulsifiers, 0.05-10%; (f) fluoride compounds, 0.10-5%;(g) preservatives, 0.05-5%; (h) surface active agents, 0.05-5%; (i)alcohols, 0.10-20%, and (j) water, 0.0-50% and mixtures thereof andwherein the pharmacologically and physiologically harmless plaquestaining dye elements are present in the operative range in the amountfrom about 0.05 percent to about 25 percent by weight with respect tothe weight of the total composition and preferably present from about0.1 percent to about 10 percent of the total weight of the composition.

The invention also provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavitywherein the continuous phase of water soluble, water miscible,hydrophilic colloid is present in the operative range in an amount fromabout 0.5 percent to about 75 percent by weight with respect to theweight of total composition and preferably present in an operative rangeof about 5 percent to about 65 percent by weight with respect to thetotal weight of the composition and wherein the discontinuous phase ofwater insoluble, water immiscible hydrophobic emulsion is present in anoperative range in an amount from about 0.1 percent to about 50 percentby weight with respect to the total weight of the composition andpreferably present in an operative range of about 1 percent to about 35percent by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition wherein the water soluble, water miscible,hydrophilic phase is not less than twice the amount of the waterinsoluble, water immiscible hydrophobic emulsion phase.

The invention also provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition wherein the composition is paste or gel.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition wherein the pharmacologically and physiologicallyharmless dye elements are encapsulated FD & C Red No. 3 and FD & C GreenNo. 3 in equal amounts.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition wherein the pharmacologically and physiologicallyharmless dye element is encapsulated FD & C Red No. 3.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavity forselective staining of sites of dental plaque formations comprising acontinuous phase of water soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic colloidcomprising pharmacologically and physiologically harmless thickening andemulsifying agents dissolved in water and uniformly dispersed throughoutsaid continuous phase and a discontinuous phase of water insoluble,water immiscible, hydrophobic emulsion comprising pharmacologically andphysiologically harmless plaque staining dye elements in intimate mixingwith equally pharmacologically and physiologically harmlesspharmacological and physical aids, the dye element being renderedsubstantially less water soluble when effectively applied in the oralcavity permitting for selective absorption of the said pharmacologicallyand physiologically harmless plaque staining dye elements by the sitesof dental plaque formations without appreciable staining of otherportions of the oral cavity and non-oral objects, the excess of theplaque disclosing composition being readily removed by rinsing withwater and other rinsing solutions.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavitywherein the discontinuous phase of water insoluble, water immiscible,hydrophobic emulsion is selected from the class consisting of lipids,alkones, fixed oils, and resins.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavitywherein the water insoluble, water immiscible, hydrophobic emulsion ispetrolatum.

The invention further provides a method and process for making a plaquedisclosing composition for topical application in the oral cavity forselectively staining the sites of dental plaque formations, said methodand process comprising adding to a selected dispersion medium a selecteddye in an amount sufficient to provide a desirable staining quality,dispersing the said dye solution in an aqueous solution of anemulsifying agent forming fine droplets of a dye element emulsion,dispersing the said dye emulsion in an aqueous solution of gelatin,adjusting the pH of the solution from about 4 to about 8, rapidlystirring the mixture and adding warm water, adding the warm mixture incold water with continuous stirring, forming a gelled coarcervate aroundeach droplet, adding a hardening solution and continued stirring forthree hours to insure separation of each droplet, adding a solution ofsodium acetate while stirring until coagulation occurred, washing thecoagulum with cold water, drained of excess water and dried, adding adesired amount of so prepared dye emulsion to a predetermined amount ofwater soluble, water miscible, hydrophilic colloidal dispersiondissolved therein pharmacological and physical aids in selected amounts,mechanically mixing the two immiscible phases into an intimate emulsionin such a way in which the water insoluble phase containing the dyeelements is dispersed in the form of fine and separate droplets in thewater soluble phase, the final composition being rendered substantiallyless water soluble when effectively applied to the oral cavity with ahard object, such as a toothbrush, rupturing the dye containing dropletsthereby liberating the water soluble dye elements to effect theselective staining of the plaque formation without appreciably stainingother portions of the oral cavity and non-oral objects, the excessplaque disclosing solution being readily removed by rinsing with waterand other rinsing solutions; and when effectively applied to the oralcavity with an object of a hardness insufficient to rupture the dyecontaining droplets does not appreciably stain either the plaqueformation or the other portions of the oral cavity and non-oral object,the entire plaque disclosing composition so applied being readilyremoved by the initial rinsing with water and other rinsing solutions.

The invention further provides a method for visualizing plaque formationin the oral cavity for use in the self evaluation and motivation of oralhygiene practices, whereby any plaque present in the oral cavity isreadily visible to the naked eye.

In view of the above disclosure, it will be noted that the severalobjectives of the invention are achieved and other advantageous resultsobtained, therefore, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patentis:
 1. A diagnostic plaque disclosing dentifrice composition for topicalapplication to the teeth comprising a continuous water soluble phase,and a discontinuous water insoluble phase dispersed in said watersoluble phase, said water insoluble phase comprising selectivelyrupturable dye elements, with a dental plaque disclosing substancedispersed in said rupturable dye elements, whereby said dental plaquedisclosing substance may be topically applied to said teeth by rupturingsaid selectively rupturable dye elements.
 2. The invention as defined inclaim 1 wherein said selectively rupturable dye elements additionallycomprise a water insoluble substance, said water insoluble substancehaving a high affinity for adsorption by dental plaque.
 3. The inventionas defined in claim 1 wherein said composition is formed as ahomogeneous paste.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcomposition is formed as a homogeneous gel.
 5. The invention as definedin claim 2 wherein said water insoluble substance is a semi-solid, saidsemi-solid microencapsulating said plaque disclosing substance.
 6. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 wherein said water soluble phase formsat least two-thirds, by weight, of said composition.
 7. The invention asdefined in claim 1 wherein said water soluble phase comprises water anda member selected from the group consisting of flavorings, nonstainingcolors, sweeteners, alcohols, abrasives, humectants, thickening andemulsifying agents, fluorides, and preservatives.
 8. The invention asdefined in claim 1 wherein said water insoluble substance is a lipid. 9.The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said water insolublesubstance is an alkane series hydrocarbon selected from the groupconsisting of mineral oil, petrolatum, white petrolatum, and paraffin.10. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said water insolublesubstance is a fixed oil selected from the group consisting ofcottonseed oil, olive oil, and neutral esters of organic acid withglycerine.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said waterinsoluble substance is a substance derived from plant origin selectedfrom the group consisting of resins derived from plant origin, Canadabalsam, Peruvian balsam, copal, mastic, rosin, and benzoin.
 12. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 whrein said dental plaque disclosingsubstance is a member selected from the group consisting of FD & C RedNo. 3, FD & C Yellow No. 5, FD & C Yellow No. 6, FD & C Green No. 3, FD& C Blue No. 1, and FD & C Blue No.
 2. 13. A method for visualizingplaque formation in the oral cavity and for self evaluation andmotivation of oral hygiene practices without excessively stainingnondental portions of the oral cavity, comprising the steps of:(a)applying a portion of the composition of claim 1 to the teeth so thatsaid rupturable elements are adsorbed by plaque formations; (b) brushingthe composition on the teeth so as to rupture said rupturable elementsand disclose said plaque formations with said plaque disclosingsubstance but without appreciably staining other parts of the oralcavity; and (c) further brushing the teeth so as to remove the plaquedisclosed by said disclosing substance.
 14. The invention as defined inclaim 5 wherein said semi-solid comprises petrolatum.
 15. The inventionas defined in claim 1 wherein said water soluble phase comprises about0.5 to 75% water, and said water soluble phase additionally comprisesabout 1 to 65% abrasives, about 0.05 to 5% thickners and emulsifiers,and about 0.05 to 5% surface active agents.
 16. The invention as definedin claim 1 wherein said water soluble phase comprises a conventionaltoothpaste.
 17. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said dentalplaque disclosing substance is dispersed in said selectively rupturabledye elements by suspending said dental plaque disclosing substance insaid water insoluble substance.
 18. The invention as defined in claim 17wherein said water insoluble substance comprises petrolatum.
 19. Theinvention according to claim 1 wherein said selectively rupturable dyeelements comprise droplets dispersed in said water soluble phase.
 20. Aprocess for making a plaque disclosing dentifrice composition, saidcomposition comprising semi-solid capsules of dye, said processcomprising the steps of:forming selectively rupturable dye elements byencapsulating a plaque disclosing dye in a water insoluble substance,and incorporating said selectively rupturable elements in a dentifricecomposition.
 21. The process according to claim 20 wherein said formingstep comprises the encapsulation of FD & C Red No. 3 dye in petrolatumby first suspending said dye in said petrolatum, and then running saidsuspension through a colloidal mill a sufficient number of times toinsure homongeneity of said suspension.